Kitchen Queries

Welcome to Kitchen Queries, where the nigella.com team will answer your cooking or food related questions. We’d love you to submit some of your recipe problems, dilemmas or queries for us to get our teeth into!

Please note, we are only able to answer questions selected for publication and aren't able to enter into personal correspondence.

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Decorative Oil Bottles

Hi, where does Nigella get her lovely oil bottles that she uses in Nigella's Kitchen and Nigellissima? I am just watching a re-run on the television and have noticed the lovely decorative oil bottles she uses. Many thanks, Sharon.

Posted by ssafier. Answered on 1st Nov 2012 at 12.00

From the nigella team:

Nigella has an eclectic collection of unusual and decorative bottles. Some are vintage bottles and some are "special edition" or commemorative bottles that may have previously held other ingredients, such as water or cordial.

Unfortunately, as Nigella has collected these bottles over a long period of time, it isn't possible to give an exact source for the oil bottles. However Nigella tends to buy these items in flea markets and on eBay and you can find similar items from these sources, as well as car boot sales and antique stores.

If you do buy these bottles make sure that you clean them thoroughly before using them. Wash them with plenty of hot soapy water and rinse well, then allow to air dry completely inside before using. Some stains can be removed using bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and water, but again rinse thoroughly and dry completely before using. Inexpensive spouts or pourers (usually with a plastic, rubber or cork stopper attached) are also useful if you are using the bottles for oil or vinegar and these can easily be found in kitchenware stores on on-line.